SEVEN goals from the big two sent out a warning to the remaining clubs in the Coors Mid-Cheshire League that the First Division title race this season is likely to be a two-horse race.
Reigning champions Middlewich retained their seven point lead with a 7-0 stroll at Golborne Sports, shrugging off the loss of top scorer Rob Hopley to neighbours Winsford United. Les Miranda looked the perfect replacement with a hat-trick, with Gary Bryning (2), Adam Morris and Lee Murphy also on the mark.
Top dogs from 1997-2003, Barnton returned to league duty after the disappointment of their Cheshire Amateur Cup exit by equalling Middlewich's performance, winning 7-0 at bottom club Crewe FC.
Darting winger Chris Gaghan, who made his Nationwide Conference debut in mid-week for Northwich Victoria against Tamworth, continues to attract the attention of league club scouts.
At the bottom, it is beginning to look bleak for Gol-borne Sports and Crewe FC, who have won only three out of 26 games between them.
The top two in Division Two, Witton Albion reserves and Penketh-Sankey, were not in action and third-placed Broad-heath Central drew 1-1 to Billinge.
In the fourth round of the Liverpool Junior Cup, Pilkington hit three extra-time goals to beat Dragons 4-1, while Penketh & Sankey Eagles edged through 2-1 at Birchfield.
RESULTS: First Division: Bollington Athletic 3 Trafford Res 1, Crewe FC 0 Barnton 7, Crosfields 2 Knutsford 0, Garswood United 3 Rylands 2, Gol-borne Sports 0 Middlewich Town 7, Greenalls 1 Daten 0.
Second Division: Broadheath Central 1 Billinge 1, Gamesley 7 Nantwich Town res. 0, Glossop North End 1 Ashton Town Res 1, Malpas 1 Warrington Borough 1, Whitchurch Alport 0 Clubs AZ 4. Altrincham FA Cup third round: Linotype/ Cheadle Heath 0 Timperley Taverners 3. Liverpool Junior Cup fourth round: Birchfield 1 Penketh & Sankey Eagles 2, Pilkington 4 Dragons 1 (after extra-time).
Macclesfield FA Cup third round: Poynton Res 0 Poynton 1.
Crewe & District League: Bentley 1 Winsford IPC 4, Bunbury 4 Sandbach 3, Kershaws 3 Malpas Res 1, Sandbach Town 1 Winnington Avenue 3, Winnington Avenue Res 2 Alsager Faculty 4.
